LANSING — Michigan Celebrates Small Business, the state’s premier awards program celebrating small business excellence and the importance of small business success to Michigan’s economy, will be held May 2 at the Lansing Center.

“Michigan Celebrates Small Business fosters the entrepreneurial spirit in Michigan,” said Carol Lopucki, state director of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center. “The awards dinner is an opportunity to celebrate the success of small business in Michigan by highlighting more than 60 small businesses that have helped build Michigan’s economy in the past year. Now in its ninth year, we are expecting 1,000 guests to celebrate this success.”

Six organizations that support and celebrate entrepreneurialism in Michigan came together in 2005 to create Michigan Celebrates Small Business, the state’s premier awards ceremony for entrepreneurs and small business leaders. The program’s founders are the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Michigan Economic Development Corp., the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, the Edward Lowe Foundation, the Small Business Association of Michigan and Chris Holman, a radio host, publisher and small business advocate.

ABOUT THE WINNERS“Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” is an awards program administered by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

Nominated companies must be second-stage companies, defined as having six to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants. In addition, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan.

U.S. Small Business Administration Michigan District Office Small Business Awards

As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA has been recognizing the special impact made by outstanding American entrepreneurs and small business owners since 1963. The SBA honors the exceptional small business owners and the champions who support them each year at Michigan Celebrates Small Business. The following winners were selected because of their staying power, financial performance, innovativeness, response to adversity, contributions to their communities, and advocacy for the advancement of small business.

For more information regarding Michigan Celebrates Small Business, contact Jennifer Deamud at the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, managing partner of Michigan Celebrates Small Business at deamudj@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-7482.